Automobile or motor-cycle horn.



1,188,576. Patented; May-16,1916.

A TTOR l UNITED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

BAY H. MANSON, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GARFORD MANUFA'CTUBING COMPANY, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

AUTOMOBILE OR MOTOR-CYCLE HORI'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Applicativi led May 4, 1914. Seria1No. 836,153.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. RAY H. MANsoN, a'

,citizen of the United States, residing at pertains to make and use the same.

` derstood from a description of a particularthis opening,

This invention relates to signaling devices,4 such as are employed upon automobiles or motor cycles to give a warning signal of the approach of the vehicle, and while designed especially for this use, it is obviously ada )ted for other uses.

One of the particular objects of my invention is to produce a horn of such construction that the necessity of adjusting for wear or deformity between the sound proclucing'parts resulting from use is eliminated. also aim to produce a horn in which the allowance for this wear is automatically taken up by the horn.

Another particular object of my invention is to increase the efliciency of the magnet circuit, and thereby increase the loudness and intensity of the sound produced by the norn.

Other particular objects of m v invention are to increase the eiiiciency of the horn, to

ioducea cheaper horn, and one which can e. more easily and conveniently made byy standard tools and standard processes and one which will operate to produce a loud noise upon a comparatively small amount of current. f

l Still other objects of my invention and the invention itself will probably be -better unembodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of my invention with the rear cover removed. Fig. 2 is a section through the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig.`1. Fig. 3 is a detail showing the electric contacts.

Referring 'now particular embodiment illustrated therein, at 2 is shown the casing front, perforated at for the egress of sound waves produced the horn. A resonator may b e mounted in to the drawings and to the` means are provided. for connecting the resonator to the casing front. In the form shown, the edges of the front 4 around the opening 5 are turned up to form an annular collar member 7, and the small end of the resonator is crimped as shown at 8, the crimp 8 embracing the collar 7 and holding the resonator and front firmly together. The casing front is struck outward, as shown at 9, to form a chamber in front of the diaphragm 10, within which the diaphragm vibi'ates. Suitable Vsound producin such as the diaphragm 10, i,slprovide mounted as shown in the froiit 4, or' inany other suitable manner. A gasket 11 of-any suitable material, such as linen, cork or rubber may be placed between the diaphragm and the casing front. The outer edges 12 of the casing front 1 are tur'ned backward like the walls of a cup to form a receptacle for the diaphragm and frame piece.

At 13 I show a frame piece behind the diaphragm. This frame piece is of suitableY width, being preferably made as thin as possible, and is provided with an opening 14, here shown as a large o'pening, through which the diaphragm is exposed at the rear. The means for actuating the diaphragm, consisting of electromagnetic means, is mounted upon the frame piece. At 1.5 is shown an electromagnet consisting of a core 16 and a winding 21. Any suitably shaped core may be employed, though I realize special advantages from the use of an E- shaped core, such as is shown in the embodiment illustrated. One method of increasing the eHiciency consists in building the core of laminations, which may be punchings, preferably machine puncliings. In the form shown, than the arms 19 and 20 for a purpose to be described.

- The electioinagnet is preferably so mounted that a portion thereof, as shown in the drawing, a portion ofthe winding, is below the rear surface of the frame-piece and in the opening in the frame-piece. By this means I may make the. device still more comthe middle arm 18 is made shorterv means,

electromagnet to the frame piece, and when' e -plished as illustrated vmagnet, no matter how -mounted thereon, the core and Winding are substantially parallel to the diaphragm, thus making the device very compact. The screws 25 pass through each of the punchings fastening the core with the arms thereof distant from the diaphragm. rI`he armature is shown at 30 and may be built of a plurality of laminations 31. This, however, I do not claim as part of my invention, as it orm armatur s of laminations. hese lammations are mounted upon Va member 31, which is connected by suitable means, such as screws 32, to a leaf spring 33, the other end 34 by any suitable means, such .as a screw or rivet 35, to the frame piece 13. The member 31 carries a hammer 40 for striking ,the diaphragm when the armature is vibrated. prefer to form the member 40 integral with the member 31, and this is best accomin the drawingby forming a tongue in the central part of the member 3l, the endI parts 50 of the member 31 being employed to support the armature. he armature 30 is mounted to one side of the magnet, but closely adjacent thereto, where it may be conveniently and efliciently operated by said magnet. 'When thus 'operated, the armature swings to one side of said magnet structure in a' path vwhich clears the magnet. I prefer to mount the armature in front ofthe magnet structure, as illustrated in lthe embodiment shown. These parts are ,best so mounted that were they substantially equi,-

projected upon the plane of the diaphragm such projections would not overlap or interfere. For this reason, mounted close to the economizing much space.

No parts of the electromagnet are in the path of travel of the armature will always move vclear vof the great or small the This is of especial advantage, because in case the diaphragm buckles or the member l() is worn. dented or turned up, there will be no necessity' for adjusting the horn. The only result will be a slight change in the length `of the arc traveled by the armature.

At is shown an electric switch 'consisting of two contacts (i1 and 62. each mounted upon a spring, the contact 01 being` mounted upon the spring 63 and the contact G2 upon a spring (34. hese springs are mounted through suitable members, screws, bolts, etc.. all of which constitute no part of my invention. to a supporting bracket T0. he supporting bracket is provided with an arm T1, pro- 'ecting substantially at right angles there- -fromhto which the contact springs aredirectly'connected. The bracket 70 is connected to the frame piece, preferably by the diaphragm, thereby arc of its travel.

. ber to Ithe frame-piece,A

of which is connected' these parts may be` lthe end of the limb 1S armature, so that theV other limbs.

means, such as insulatingl same means asthe T0 being bent upward `33 is connected at T4 and over at 75. so that the armlmeml T0 is ,substantially armature. I I I provide suitable means S0 for adjusting the contact 6l. A pair of terminals S2 are mounted upon the frame piece 13. A conductor QOicads from the terminal Sixto one terminal ofthe magnet winding 15.

onduct'orsI 92 terminal through the switch winding of the electromagnet. Yt 1e' frame piece and the liaph'ragm are connected by suitable means, such as screws or bolts, 100.A The whole vmay be inclosed by a rear casing 101. he contacts G1 and G2 are controlled in any suitable way by the armature. In the embodiment shown, the spring (il vis normally stressed to open these contacts. but, is prevented from doing so by the spring lVlieli, however, the armature is attracted. the upward pressure normally exerted upon the spring (il by the spring 33 is relieved and the contacts 01 and (52 separated., Suitable electric conductors. source yof current and vcurrent controller may be connected to these binding'posts. All of this `is well understood and constitutes no part of my invention.

parallel to the (3() tothe other lhen operated, the armature moves in a,v vpath which 1s unobstructed, except by the hammer striking The ET shaped cores and between the end limbs thereof, results'in a very effi loud novise'is7 therefore, produced.

As will be seen, the lines of magnetic force extend through a 'considerable air gapy from to the armature 30.

he return magnetic circuit is through the ends of the armature and the comparati velv the dia phragm.'

51 and and connect th-e other` The front,

Ashort a1r grip to the return pole pieces of the i j lgized, this action causes the armature to be drawn down, thereby reducing the air gap so that when Athe projection l0 strikes the diaphragm, the au' gap is sufficiently reduced, so that themagnetic force is increased to a high point and thereby a very strong blow is struck on rthe diaphragm. In this action the return path through the ends of the armaturesto the sideY members of` the magnet core doesnot vary n'iaterially.

he parts-employed are easily and chca'ply made. the apparatus consisting almost entirely of machine punchings of such shape as. vto be made by a minimum number ol' operations. ,p y

I have shown this embodiment of my `invention to illustrate the invention and not` that I wish to be limited to'the form and dctails of thisl embodiment. which admits of many variations without departing from the 'hen the arn'iature is ener-- spirit of the invention, which is more particularly set orth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l.' In an automobile or motorcycle horn, the combination of a flat frame piece aving an opening in the central portion thereof and rovided with an inclined switch support mclined upwardly toward the center of the-support, a pair of ,contact carrying members comprising an electric switch and means to connect said members to said support, a vibratile sonorous diaphragm and means 'to connect saidv diaphragm to the front side of the frame piece, including a plurality of screws and a casing front provided with an opening for the egress of sound 'waves initiated by the diaphragm, an armature controlling said switch connected on the back side of the framepiece, means controlled by said armature adapted to be operated through the opening in the frame piece to cause the actuation of. the diaphragm, an` electromagne't for actuating said armature and means to connect one end of the magnet to the back side of the frame -,piece adjacent the periphery of the frame piece, the magnet being held in position substantially parallel to the diaphragm with its other end freev and' adjacent the center of the diaphragm.

2. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame piece, a diaphragm associated therewith, lan electromagnet supported from the frame substantially parallel to the diaphragm and with its operating end adjacent the central portion of the diaphragm, an

armature controlled by the electromagnet for actuating the diaphragm, said armature when attracted by the electromagnet moving substantially perpendicularly to the long axis of the magnet, means supported from 'the frame for supporting and positioning the :armature to move in a path clearing 1n the front ofthe electromagnet and an electric switch controlled by vthe armature.

3. In` an automobile or motorcycle horn, the combination of a frame, a diaphragm ociated therewith, an electromagnet suported from the frame piece including an -shaped core and a winding on the limb of the core, an armature adapted when attracted to move in a path clearing-the front of the magnet to cause the actuation of the diaphragm and means to connect the armature to the frame piece.

4. In an automobile or motorcycle horn, ,the combination of 'a flat frame piece,a diaphragm connected to the front sidethereof, a magnet including an E-sha edvcore, means to connect the vertical or interconnecting limb of the E-shaped core to the frame piece adjacent the periphery thereof, said magnet when so connected extending substantially parallel to the diaphragm with its other end free and. adjacent the centralportion of'the diaphragm, an armature adjacent the lfree end of said magnet adapted to be operated by said magnet'to cause the actuation ofthe diaphragm, spring means for returning the armature to normal and means to connect said armature and spring means to the frame piece. l s

5. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a diaphragm associated therewith, an electromagnet supported from the frame including an Eshapedcore, the end limbs extending beyond the middle limb, a winding on the middle limb, an armature controlling the operation of the diaphragm adapted when attracted to swing between the extended ends of the end limbs of the core and a spring supported from the frame -upon which the armature is mounted.

6. In an automobile horn, the combination of a casing front, a flat frame piece having a large opening in the center thereof, a diaphragm clamped between the front and frame piece, an electromagnet comprising an E-shaped core built of laminations, the end limbs of the core extending beyond the central limb, means forconnecting one end,

at one end to the frame piece and at the other to the armature, and an electr-iq switch controlled yby the armature.

7. In an automobile horn, the combination of a casing front, a flat frame piece having a largeopening therein, a diaphragm and means to connect the diaphragm, casing front and frame piece together, an .electromagnet comprising an E-shaped core,' the central limb of which is shorter than the two end limbs, said core being constructed of a plurality of punchings, means to connect the closed end of the core to the rear of the flat frame piece with the core substantially parallel to the diaphragm, a magnet coil mounted on the short limb, a spring member supported at one end from the frame piece, an armature mounted on the free end of the spring member and normally held behind` the central portion of the core and between the extended portions of the end limbs of the core, said armature when portion of the ,t e same to be tion of a under the bracket yswitch contacts.

connected to and extendin on and an armature con trolled .by the -electromagnet governing the automobile horn, the combination of'a frame, a diaphragm associated therewith, an, electromagnet associated therewith, a bracket frame piece at one end and bent upward outward7 an arm on the yend of the In' an ture actuated by the electromagnety lcontrolling the contacts.

In an auvtomobile horn, the combination of a casing. front having an opening therein for the egress of sound waves, a Hat frame piece having av large opening in the central portion thereof, a diaphragm and the casing front, diaphragm and frame piece together, an electromagnet comprising an E-shaped core having a`short central limb and a magnet Windlng on said central limb, means to connect the core at its closed end to the back side of the flat frame piece, said magnet when connected to the frame piece extending over the, opening in the frame piece and bein held in position substantially parallel to the i-aphragm, a flat leaf spring connected at one end to the flat frame piece and extending over the opening in said frame piece, an armature on the free end of the spring adapted when attracted to swing between the extended portions of the end limbs of the core and in front of the central limb thereof, a hammer controlled by the armature for actuating the diaphragm, a bracket .supported from the frame piece bent upward and outward, an arm on the bracket and a plurality of contact springs connected to the arm and carrying contacts controlled by the armature.

l In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame', a diaphragm associated the free end of the core i 1n front of the magnet in a an arm on the bracket, a pluthe under thel ythe ends oV the springs supported from then `lwhen attracted by the therewith, an electroma et supported from the frame and substantlally parallel to the dlaphragm and with its operating end adja- .cent the central portion of the diaphragm, sal magnet.extendingpart'way over the dlaphragm, an armature for the magnet, means supported from .the frame for supporting ,rand positioning the armature in ront of the electromagnet and over the central portion of the diaphragm, said arma ture when attracted by the the magnet and substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the magnet, and an electric switch controlled by the armature.

13. In an automobile horn, the combinationof a Hat frame piece having a large' iaphragm, said armature when attractedtrolled by the armature. y y

14. In an automobile horn, the combination .of a flat frame-piece having a large i", means to connect the diaphragm to the frame piece, ed upon the backside of the frame-piece and extending part way across the 'opening in' the frame-piece substantially parallel to the diaphragm, means to connect the magnet to the frame-piece holding it normally with its 110 operating end adjacent the central portion and normally holding the armature to one and over the central pora dlaphragm assotherewith, an electromagnet having a square faced core, an armature adapted an electromagnet mounty magnet to move in a.A 18.

i ith its operating end adjacent the central portion of the diaphragnr and an arn'iatiire adapted when attracted by the magnet to move in a path substantially parallel to the face of the end of the magnet core to actuate said diaphragm and means to restrain said armature to movement in such path.

17. In an automobile horn, the combination of a fiat frame piece haring a large opening in the center thereof, a diaphragm associated with the frame-piece and means to connect the diaphragm to the front of the l frame-piece, electromagnetic means comprising a winding and a plurality of core limbs, means to mount said magnet means through ends of said limbs to thebackside of the frame-piece, with said limbs extending part way across the opening in the frame-piece substantially parallel to the diaphragm and with the operating end of the limbs adjacent the central portion of the diaphragm, said electromagnetic means being supported in the opening in the frame-piece with. a portion of said means below the rear surface of the frame. an armature for said means, and means including va Hat leaf spring for supporting said armature from the frame-piece, one end of said spring being connected to the armature and the other end connected to the backside of the frame-piece, said supporting means normally holding the armature to one side of the electromagnetic means and over the central portion of the diaphragm with the armature normally disconnected'from the diaphragm, said armature when operated by the electromagnetic means swinging to one side of said electromagnetic means in a path which clears the electromagnetic means and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long axis thereof, and a pair of contacts-constituting an electric switch controlled by said armature.

18. In an automobile lioin, the combination of a fiat frame-piece with a large open ing in the central portion thereof, said frame-piece consisting of a ring of metal, a vibratory diaphragm of substantially the same diameter as the frame-piece, a casing front, means for connecting the front, the diaphragm and frame-piece together with the diaphragm between the front and frameiece. a resonator associated with the opening in the casing front, electromagnetic means comprising a plurality of core limbs and a magnet winding associated with said core, means to connect the core if., diaphragm, an'

limbs t0 'the' backside of the frame-piece with the limbs eiftending over the opening in the framepiece and parallel to the diaphragm, with the free ends of the limbs adjacent the central portion of the diaphragm, an armature for said electromagnetic means,- a flat spring for connecting the armature to the frame-piece, means to connect one end of the spring to the armature, means to connect the other end of the spring to the back of the framepiece, said armature being supported to one side of the electromagnetic means, over the central portion of the diaphragm and out oft alinement with the electromagnetic means with respectto the diaphragm, said armature when operated by the magnet means .swinging to one side thereof and in a path which clears the magnet means and in a directiony substantially perpendicular to the long` axis thereof, and a pair of contacts constituting an electric switch controlling the current kflow through the winding of the Ielectromagnetic means governed by said armature.

19. In an automobile horn, the combination of a dat frame-piece having a large opening in the central portion thereof, a diaphragm of substantially the' same dialneter as the frame-piece extending over the openingn' the frame-piece, a front piece, means to connect the diaphragm, the front piece and the frame-piece together, with the diaphragm between the frame-piece and the front piece, 'said connecting means being applied to the edge of the diaphragm leaving the central portion thereof free to Yibrate, an electromagnet comprising a core and a winding, means to connect one end of the core to the backside of the framepiece with said magnet extending over the opening in the frame-piece substantially parallel to the diaphragm, and with its operating end adjacent the central portion of the diaphragm, a portion of said electromagnet being within the opening in the frame-piece and below the back surface thereof, an armature for operating the diaphragm, a leaf spring for connecting the armature to the frame-piece, means connecting one end of the leaf spring to the armature and means connecting the other end of the leaf spring to the backside of the frame-piece, said armature and spring being substantially parallel to the diaphragm, sai supporting means normally holding the`armature to one side of the electromagnet and over the central portion of the diaphragm, said armature when operated by said electromagnet swinging to one side of said electroniagnet in a path which clears'the magnet, and in a direction substantially perpendicular 'to the long axis of the magnet, a projection carried by said armature normally disengaged from the diaphragm, but

adapted ,to strike the diaphragm when the 'tion of In an automobile horn,l the combinaa flat circular g a vibratory diaphragm of substantially the surface of the said means, a flat leaf spring connected at l same diameter as the frame piece, a front piece, means to clamp the front piece, the frame piece and the diaphragmtogether with the diaphragm between the frame piecev and the front plece, the edges 'of the dia-r Ehragm being fastenedto the other memrs and the central portion being .free to electromagnetic vibrate,

a plurality of core limbs and a magnet thus supported in the opening in the frame. v

portion thereof below the rear plece with a frame-piece, an armature for frame-piece having a I portion of the diaphragm,

one end to said armature and at the other end to the back of the frame-piece, said armature and leaf spring being normally' substantially parallel vto the dlaphragm, 'said armature being held by said leaf spring and t e` connecting means to the side of the free ends `of said core limbs and' over the central said armature when operated by the electromagnetic means vswinging to one side of the ends of saidA limbs in a path whichclears the electromagnetic means and in a direction l perpendicular to the long axis of said electromagnetic means, an electric switch comprismg a pair of contacts and means to conneet said contacts to the backside of the frame-piece, said switch controlling said winding and operated by said armatureand a projection carried bythe armature, normally disengaging the diaphragm but adapted tostrike and operatethe same when the armature is vibrated.

Witness whereofl` I have signed my name in the resence of two witnesses this 42nd day ofay, 19.14.t

RAY H. MANSON.

substantially A 

